Cavaliers Football Club survived the onslaught of Kwara United Football Club in the first international friendly match played today, August 19th, 2023, at the OmniSports de Nikki, to record a goalless draw.
Playing with much caution and precision, Kwara United took the initiative from the blast of the whistle, with Samuel Ayanrinde, Issa Gata and Shola Abdulraheem creating early chances, and hitting the bar on several ocassions.
The combination of Ikenna Offor, ThankGod Ikeagu and Shola Roheem in the midfield unsettled the homers, who did more of the clearings, as the goalkeeper was kept highly busy throughout the encounter.
It was a game that drew a large crowd, including the Emir of Okuta and Chairman of Baruten Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji (Hon) Dr. Idris Abubakar (Kperogi Afon Totiri), which the organizers described as unprecedented in the history of the club and Stadium.
The Technical Director of Cavaliers FC, Houandinou Valere after the game said that his team has learnt a lot from the match, adding that his team worked very hard to contain Kwara United.
"We tried to contain Kwara United, because they are more exposed than us. We never faced this quality of opposition before. In the first half, we were jittery and afraid of playing, but it was a bit different in the second half.
"We learnt a lot from this game, and it will assist us greatly ahead of the commencement of the Benin Republic Premier League. It was a tough game, but good for us.
Coach Kabir Sulaiman Dogo of Kwara United rues the many scoring chances not taken by his team, pledging to work on it before the next game.
"It was a good game for the team, especially playing far away from home. We created many scoring chances. Its a big lesson for us. We will need to work on our goal scoring abilities.
Kwara United will take on Buffles FC at the same venue by 4.00pm, tomorrow August 20th, 2023.